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A man looks for celestial bodies through a telescope.—White Star file photo

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), which is often criticised by Pakistani scientific community for not being on par with its Indian or Chinese counterparts, sent two satellites in space from a launching facility in China this July.

A surprise as it may be, one of the satellites launched the PakTES-1A, which was indigenously designed and developed by Pakistani engineers. Primarily aimed at remote sensing, the satellite is providing promising results, meeting or even exceeding expectations, a senior official of Suparco says.

Talking about the development phase of the satellite, the official says that it was a tough task to complete it on time because the launch date had already been fixed and a delay of not even a day could be afforded.

“The other satellite, PRSS-1, developed by China and Pakistan in collaboration, was due to launch on July 9, and PakTES-1A had to be co-launched, thus the Pakistani engineers worked day and night to have it ready by then,” he says.

Big players: China and India

Every year, developed and emerging nations such as the United States, European Union, Japan, China and India cumulatively spend trillions of dollars on technologies to send humans into the space, deploy sophisticated satellites for a variety of purposes, and to find new worlds through space and ground-based telescopes.

In recent times, China and India have emerged as next big players in the space industry.

Suparco sent two satellites in space in July

These countries provide logistical support and launching facilities to many nations who do not possess the necessary infrastructure to do that on their own.

Pakistan, too, has historically relied on China to get its satellites launched into space. Yet to come on par with India in space sciences, Pakistan also lags behind in research related to astronomy with no major astronomical breakthrough coming from indigenous institutions, however, Pakistanis associated with NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) are performing with excellence in their respective fields.

The official says that the non-availability of an indigenous launching facility was not an immediate area of concern. “Currently, we are focusing on developing satellites because we can nevertheless get them launched from another country. This satellite that we have developed is manufactured completely in Pakistan and is providing promising results. Once we are adept in development of satellite technology, we can venture out in other arenas as well,” he says.

Suparco faces hurdles

Conceding the fact that Suparco is behind many regional space agencies, the official said that Suparco had repeatedly faced bureaucratic hurdles to the point of questioning its purpose of existence.

“But we have continued working despite all the budgetary constraints and external red tape. We have scientists who could easily be hired by Nasa and ESA but they are working hard to serve the nation with whatever resources that they have,” he says.

Shift the focus from the public sector efforts in space technology and astronomy, and one sees that the country’s amateur astronomy scene is also vibrant and there are astronomy societies in all major cities, working at their best to spread awareness in masses about the universe with whatever resources and technical expertise that they have.

There are currently astronomy societies in Pakistan’s cities of Karachi, Hyderabad, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta. These societies were started and are being operated by amateur astronomers — enthusiasts who have little to no professional education in astronomy but are guided by their love for the universe.

Biggest telescope

Founded in 2008, the Karachi Astronomers Society is a society that is known for owning one of the biggest private telescopes in Pakistan. Chaired by a retired combat pilot of Pakistan Air Force Khalid Marwat, the society organises star parties for the public at different public places of the city, and sometimes the group also ventures out to dark skies for having a better view of the skies as compared to the massively light-polluted skies of the city of the lights.

The society has an 18-inch diameter telescope which is a prized possession of the society’s chairman Mr Marwat. Apart from that, Mehdi Hussain, former president of the society and an IT expert by profession, has built an astronomical observatory at his home’s rooftop. Named Kaastrodome (Karachi Astronomical Dome) the observatory is fitted with a 12-inch diameter telescope. The dome was built locally in Karachi and was supervised and funded privately by Mr Hussain and his brother Akbar Hussain, who also shares the same interest.

Karachi also is home to Pakistan’s biggest telescope, a 24-inch diameter telescope that is owned by astronomy enthusiast Naveed Merchant. This telescope is bigger than any other private or public telescope in Pakistan.

Moon’s photograph

Recently, the society gained much attention after a photograph of the Moon by one of its members, Talha Zia, made it to NASA’s website Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD).

Mr Zia’s photograph was the first from Pakistan to make it to the prestigious listing of carefully selected astrophotos from around the world. 150 kilometres to the north of Karachi, the city of Hyderabad has its own astronomy society, the Hyderabad Astronomical Society.

The now-dormant society was founded by a group of students of Isra University including Amjad Nizamani and Zeeshan Ahmed on the eve of World Space Week 2011. This was the first-ever session on astronomy in the city and gained much media attention. The society also collaborated with Suparco to organise observing sessions at the Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET) in Jamshoro, a city next to Hyderabad for the World Space Week 2012.

The Lahore Astronomical Society (LAST) is also among the most well-equipped astronomy societies of the country. Headed by Umair Asim, an educator who is also a keen astrophotographer himself, the society regularly organises public lectures on a variety of scientific topics. Mr Asim, too, has an astronomical observatory at his home. Dubbed as Zeds Astronomical Observatory, this facility houses sophisticated tools of astrophotography through which Mr Asim regularly captures eye-catching views of the heavens.

Future of astronomy

Back in Karachi, Zain Ahmed, amateur astronomer, a member and former general secretary of KAS is optimistic about future of astronomy — amateur and professional — in Pakistan.

Highlighting the advancement of amateur astronomy societies over the years, he said that amateur astronomy had acquired a ‘critical mass’ in Pakistan, and now the momentum would only grow exponentially.

“In 2018, we have a lot more people who are enthusiastic about astronomy than in 2008 when KAS was founded,” he says, “we are also more equipped than before,” he adds.

But these efforts are not only limited to observational astronomy and space technology. Earlier this year, astronomy societies in Lahore and Karachi invited a group of experts from Netherlands for a series of workshops on astrolabe, a medieval scientific tool that was pioneered by Arab astronomers, who used it to catalog thousands of stars.

The Karachi series of workshops was hosted by Habib University in collaboration with the KAS, and was attended by a large number of people. Similarly, a Pakistani astrobiologist based in Germany, Dr Nozair Khawaja, has launched a group to promote astrobiology in Pakistan.

Khawaja, who hails from town of Wazirabad in Punjab, has recently led a study on one of Saturn’s moons, discovering large and complex molecules on Enceladus, which have astro-biological potential.

Khawaja’s group, the Astrobiology Network of Pakistan has many Pakistani youngsters as its members and office-bearers, aims to attract more people towards the branch of science that deals with finding components necessary for life outside the earth.

On DawnNews

Comments (79) Closed

Amit

Sep 24, 2018 09:41am

Before making satellite, first build good dam!!!

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Anonymouseeeee

Sep 24, 2018 09:50am

A proud moment to be a Pakistani.

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Zak

Sep 24, 2018 09:54am

Pakistan and China have jointly established space research ,design and development centre with focus of defence and offensive capabilities in a vast subterrenean station under the karakoram range ,soon world will see the prowess when Pakistani and Chinese mind work together.

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Faisal Ahmed

Sep 24, 2018 10:03am

Good work SUPARCO, we know our scientists are extremely skilled and hard workers, despite of having a very limited R&D budget you guys are making great success. Keep the flag high.

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Indian Bhai

Sep 24, 2018 10:14am

I think one of the satellites was gifted by Chinese engineers. Supraco put their logo on it. Right?

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Saqib

Sep 24, 2018 10:19am

Biggest impediment to science in Pakistan is internal politics in scientific institutions. Bright people are sidelined lest they steal limelight from the old guard.

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Ahmar Qureshi

Sep 24, 2018 10:20am

It is well evident that the SUPARCO & the private space enthusiasts are stepping forward to contribute their vital role in the astronomy.
Suparco must galvanize the private enthusiasts to play their active part in research & development.
We speak more about ozone, whereas we must also care for our ionosphere & exosphere.

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Nawaz

Sep 24, 2018 10:43am

We would never be able to compete the world especially our adversaries wiithout advancing in our knowledge of the universe and science & technology in general.

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A shah

Sep 24, 2018 10:50am

How about stepping up and proving electricity and water to us first

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Vineeth

Sep 24, 2018 10:52am

PakTES-1A was developed with the help of a South African space consultancy. Pakistan is still some way from building a truly indigenous world-class satellite. But that is understandable, as both India and China has been in this business for decades. SUPARCO never got the kind of attention from successive Pakistan governments the way ISRO and CNSA got in their home countries.

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Tasawar Iqbal

Sep 24, 2018 11:03am

Very good step by Pakistanis. They are far behind from India or other Space developed nations but these steps are highly appreciable. Govt must encourage and spend resources on such institutions instead of making hurdles in research.

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Nomansland

Sep 24, 2018 11:17am

Nice... Good comparison on whose telescope is the largest... Great details on the inches as well !!

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Dr M Akbar Hussain

Sep 24, 2018 11:24am

Very good and comprehensive article. For Karachi Astronomers Society and Kaastrodome, our astronomy initiatives go well beyond borders, as Australia's first mobile astronomical observatory, the Southern Cross Outreach Observatory Project is built, owned and operated by its members too.

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Om

Sep 24, 2018 11:30am

Thanks nawaz shariff

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Shah

Sep 24, 2018 11:33am

@Amit It is perfectly possible to work on several project at once. Is this really that hard to understand?

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Jack

Sep 24, 2018 11:37am

This shows that Pakistan has great potential in astronomy and space sciences. I respect the scientists dedicating their time and hard work to Pakistan's space sciences. but how is it that Pakistani scientists in NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) are doing much better? Maybe the government can also invite them over for research and development? Its also great that Dr Nozair Khawaja is creating a astrobiology group in Pakistan. Can you imagine if Pakistan invited experts in all fields and they worked in Pakistan in sciences, technology, teaching, education, economy, humanities, social sciences and civil service/governance. The country can rise up Insha' Allah and become successful.

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AHMED

Sep 24, 2018 11:37am

US, Russia, EU, China, India, Japan, and other developed space prorammes may be spending in the billitos combined but a trillion is perhpas a typo or fantasy. what we spent on Metro, India spent for their Mars expeditions. SUPARCO may need to be disbanded at best a new policy and organization need to be set based on merit if any credible work to done.

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NKAli

Sep 24, 2018 11:37am

Frankly, launch satellites for exploratory purposes in minerals, rain-forecasting, weather, agriculture, border management, military purposes, and the benefit of humans on earth.
Explorations beyond earth for the time is a colossal and monumental waste of time, money and energy. We have to set targets for human growth and development that has been missing for decades. Salams to Pakistan

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Hwh

Sep 24, 2018 11:41am

@Faisal Ahmed "skilled and hard workers" These words are applicable for labours, not generally for scientists.

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BK

Sep 24, 2018 12:05pm

Most activities written about sound like that of a hobby club.
Space tech is a billion dollar business.
Wonder why Pakistan, which possesses a range of 'indegenous' missiles isn't competent enough to launch rockets into space on its own!

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Tallat

Sep 24, 2018 12:07pm

Well done Suparco

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karman

Sep 24, 2018 12:09pm

It is great moment for the nation, our scientist are very skilled and hard worker, we belive on you guys keep it up, if the government support and increase the funds for research Pakistan can get great success in astronomy.

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Vasa

Sep 24, 2018 12:15pm

Good to see Pakistan is moving in right direction at least now. Hope they keep it up and running.

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Sabir Pakistani

Sep 24, 2018 12:17pm

Pakistan space agency was established before Indian but during General Zia ul Haq rule he didn’t give fund to our space agency and it left behind while Indian seeked help from Russia and US and went ahead of Pakistan.

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Jamil

Sep 24, 2018 12:19pm

@Amit Have some etiquette. Pakistan needs to make progress in both the fields.

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Jamil

Sep 24, 2018 12:26pm

@Om You should thank Musharraf, as it was during his tenure that much progress was achieved which we are now witnessing it in its practical manifestation.

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Sasindran Ayadakandiyil

Sep 24, 2018 12:53pm

Nations progress in stages. Unfortunately in the subcontinent scientific temperament is not encouraged by bureaucracy which holds purse strings, for all practical purpose. Even ISRO had faced hurdle earlier especially when there were major launch failures. But dedication of a handful and support from some sections of political class helped them to grow to what they are today. Pakistan under the new leadership should put more focus on encouraging scientific temperament because SPACE is an area both countries can collaborate and mutually benefit. See even US and Russia with all their geopolitical fights has not allowed those to come in way of collaboration in space- International Space Station is as shining example of that attitude!

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Adeel Azmat

Sep 24, 2018 01:27pm

Excellent work, much needed.

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Supernam

Sep 24, 2018 02:24pm

First Pakistanis need to accept that humans evolved from apes; then we talk about space.

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Karachitee

Sep 24, 2018 02:40pm

@Sasindran Ayadakandiyil very good comment. Thanks

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Zak

Sep 24, 2018 02:42pm

@Vineeth We will catch up and surpass others like we did in nuke field.

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Reality check

Sep 24, 2018 02:46pm

Thank you Nawaz Sharif!!!

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khabboo

Sep 24, 2018 02:47pm

@Amit - That is an internal political issue.

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khabboo

Sep 24, 2018 02:48pm

@Indian Bhai - Did you read the article?.

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khabboo

Sep 24, 2018 02:48pm

@A shah - How did you charge your phone or computer to send out your message?

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Javed

Sep 24, 2018 03:39pm

Did you know SUPARCO is older than ISRO.

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Javed

Sep 24, 2018 03:40pm

Great achievement, we are going to give Elon Musk a run for his money!

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BILAL

Sep 24, 2018 03:50pm

Still not sure why chest thumping so early?

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Farhan Afzal Saifee

Sep 24, 2018 03:50pm

Nothing new here, anti-pakistani comments from our fellow Indians, way to go :)

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Farhan Afzal Saifee

Sep 24, 2018 03:51pm

@Amit everything takes time, we are still a developing country, apart from bashing us, maybe show some support? But as always nothing to expect from Indians.

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Human first

Sep 24, 2018 04:21pm

China quality is a different quality.World knows about it..

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Adnan

Sep 24, 2018 04:28pm

Mistake in first paragraph: PakTES-1A is not a remote sensing satellite. That one is the PRSS, and to my knowledge, is made in collaboration with China.

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Imtiaz Ali Khan

Sep 24, 2018 04:37pm

Good going Pakistan, Pakistan was the first nation in South Asia to send rockets into orbit. I wish our space agency a great future since we have a great past to begin with. Thank you Dr Abdus Salam and his team of Pakistani scientist for giving us SUPARCO and PAEC.

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Pro Pakistan's Own Rocket

Sep 24, 2018 05:19pm

@BK has raised a very important question.

It is time to retrospect. By building a Rocket Pakistan can generate a revenue too by using it on commercial basis for other countries.

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Ali

Sep 24, 2018 05:34pm

@Shah, Indians seems to think they are smart, they always forget who actually helped them and that’s USA and Israel. They are good in copying and so do China.

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Shah

Sep 24, 2018 05:48pm

We need ICBMs which can be used at sending missions to space.

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Observer#1

Sep 24, 2018 05:55pm

What are the capabilities and benefits of the satellites recently launched?

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Neutral

Sep 24, 2018 06:03pm

@Ali There are two ways to show you are better.First strive hard to go above your opponent another show him below you so you look bigger.You can choose any as opinion does not matter in this world

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B.Patel USA

Sep 24, 2018 06:32pm

Step in right direction. Good luck Pakistan. Progress in science is needed every where.

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Amir

Sep 24, 2018 06:55pm

@Amit then eradicate poverty in India before advising others.

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Arnie

Sep 24, 2018 07:18pm

It’s so funny that a country that launches long range missiles cannot launch rockets into space. Too bad China and North Korea don’t sell the technology for satellite launch vehicles.

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Zak

Sep 24, 2018 07:26pm

@Zak Pakistan can go it alone but is economically prudent, shares costs, more smarter.

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hello

Sep 24, 2018 07:34pm

Mr IK Pakistan not only need funding for satellites launch efforts also quality research centers. I do not believe Pakistan has a single quality research lab for any of the technology areas such as medical, upper space exploration, bio tech, field of lasers.

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Truthhurts

Sep 24, 2018 07:48pm

@Supernam but you have failed to evolve

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Sastry

Sep 24, 2018 08:01pm

Compliments. Progress in science needs to be appreciated without bias. Congrats Pakistan and it's scientists.

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pkranjan

Sep 24, 2018 08:57pm

@Zak You forgot to mention the Pak-China space station which the world is afraid of.

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RationalBabu

Sep 24, 2018 09:36pm

@Shah: Of course it is. Only if you have the will and resources to do it. Cutting the unnecessary massive spending on military would be a start!

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Awais

Sep 24, 2018 09:37pm

Our economy is at its lowest ebb now. We don't have money even to construct a dam which is indispensable for our future so money for satellites is far beyond our imagination. I think SUPARCO should roll out projects which can attract private partnerships such as news channel and private universities may be interested in owning thier own satellites. Similarly satellites giving reliable and authentic data pertaing weather and water requirements of crops may entice big land Lords to invest in it.

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Awais

Sep 24, 2018 09:39pm

@Pro Pakistan well we can't afford to board on to band wagon of SpaceX.

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RationalBabu

Sep 24, 2018 09:43pm

@Javed: So why is it languishing behind?

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Kshitiz Mishra

Sep 24, 2018 10:16pm

Till date total money used by ISRO in its space program, is half of the total money alloted to NASA in a year. Still ISRO doing good and will try to launch himan space program in 2022

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Munir

Sep 24, 2018 11:15pm

@Amit what is with you Indians, why don't you worry about abject poverty in your country. Leave us alone and go about your way.

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Saul Goodman

Sep 24, 2018 11:15pm

If Pakistan is spending money on science & technology instead of military & defense, we as Indians should support them instead of mocking them. Goodluck!

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Pradeep Narain

Sep 25, 2018 01:11am

@Zak please provide the list of Pakistani scientists who were so intellectuals

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Shailesh

Sep 25, 2018 05:26am

Very good news! Our nations should compete in science instead of weapons.

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Ajaya K Dutt

Sep 25, 2018 08:28am

@khabboo - I can see that you did not read the article.

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Desi Baba

Sep 25, 2018 12:17pm

Congrats to all my friends across the border. A very good step towards a successful future in space technology.

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Brijesh Kumar

Sep 25, 2018 06:00pm

SUPARCO guys were taking salaries all these years without doing anything. Pakistanis have been conned. SUPARCO is another shell institute to place retired generals and make tax payer pay for their salaries.

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Farooq Faisal

Sep 25, 2018 09:05pm

@Indian Bhai
"I think one of the satellites was gifted by Chinese engineers. Supraco put their logo on it. Right?"
Let me correct your sentence:
"...one of the satellites that was gifted by Chinese who, like all their military planes (and other techs), copied it from the west...hence, avoiding all the cost and time it takes for R&D, while providing cheap, unreliable products that lacks quality!"
You're welcome.

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brmurr

Sep 26, 2018 06:55am

That’s a really quite a Clean Room you have for satellite construction. India has nothing like that.

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sulman

Sep 26, 2018 07:01am

We are the best at cricket in the whole world. Pretty soon we will be the best in science.

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khan

Sep 26, 2018 07:16am

Proud of IK. This is the affect of having an honest and brilliant leader at the top.

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SR

Sep 26, 2018 09:04am

@Zak
So China provides the technology that you guys paid for with US aid .. and your sole investment was the indigenous paint job done on these satellites and middles..

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SR

Sep 26, 2018 09:06am

@Sabir Pakistani actually The US did nothing to help us Russian wanted to sell its weapons .. education was our biggest investment and the benefits speak for itself today ..

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Neo

Sep 26, 2018 09:37am

@Indian Bhai. You probably say that because of your experience with Russian satellites.